About The Galapagos Science Center
What is the Galapagos Science Center?
Created in 2011 through a partnership between the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Universidad de San Francisco de Quito, the Galapagos Science Center is the only University-operated research institution in the Galapagos.
Be part of the only university
science center in the Galapagos
Located in San Cristóbal Island, the 20,000 square-foot facility houses five research laboratories:
Additional classrooms, meeting spaces, and offices are supported by an on-site staff of 14 professionals.
Through the Consortium, member institutions combine expertise, resources, and perspectives to advance interdisciplinary research, strengthen conservation outcomes, and improve the well-being of both local communities and ecosystems. Together, members generate knowledge with local relevance and global application.
Benefits of Consortium Membership
Access to a Network of Experts
Connect with an established network of researchers, practitioners, and community partners who help accelerate project development, facilitate collaboration, and support successful implementation.
Understanding Local Regulation
Benefit from local expertise and established relationships with Ecuadorian institutions and regulatory agencies, helping researchers navigate permitting requirements efficiently and effectively.
Infrastructure and Staff Support
Reduce logistical barriers through access to state-of-the-art laboratories, shared equipment, field resources, and an experienced on-site team that supports procurement, permitting, fieldwork, and laboratory operations.
Student Engagement
Provide students with immersive international research experiences that foster scientific discovery, cross-cultural learning, and professional development while contributing to meaningful conservation outcomes.
Long-Term Datasets and Future Research Efforts
Access long-term datasets, ongoing monitoring programs, and collaborative research initiatives that create opportunities for new discoveries and sustained scientific impact.
Enhanced Global Research Visibility
Increase the visibility and impact of your research through international collaborations, high-profile scientific initiatives, and opportunities to generate evidence that informs conservation and sustainability efforts worldwide.
Voice in the Consortium
Shape the future direction of the Consortium through participation in strategic discussions, working groups, the Annual Galapagos Research and Conservation Symposium, and scholarly initiatives such as the Galapagos Book Series published by Springer Nature.
Transforming Students into Scientists in the World's Greatest Living Laboratory
At the heart of the International Galapagos Science Consortium is a transformative student journey that moves learning beyond the classroom and into one of the world’s most important living laboratories.
Through the GSC, students gain direct access to research facilities, field equipment, long-term datasets, and interdisciplinary projects, but most importantly, the opportunity to combine formal training with hands-on research opportunities with iconic species.
They are not simply studying conservation challenges—they are actively contributing to research that addresses real questions in marine sciences, genomics, and ecosystem and human health.
Immersive experiences allows students to develop research skills through fieldwork and laboratory training, while also building cross-cultural competencies, professional networks, and a deeper understanding of how science can translate into meaningful conservation and community outcomes.
For universities, joining the Consortium means giving students an unparalleled opportunity to become researchers, collaborators, and global problem-solvers while contributing to science that has both local relevance and international impact.
